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Impact of Using Information and Communication Technologies by the Farmers of Sadar Upazila Under Gazipur District

Syeda Tasnim Jannat
PhD student
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur

Md. Shadat Ulla
Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka

Md. Rafiquel Islam
Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka

Mohummed Shofi Ullah Mazumder
Associate Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to assess the impact of using ICT in agriculture. Impact was measured using Difference-in-Difference method minimizing spill-over effect. Data were collected from 96 and 32 respondents, from study and control groups, respectively. Changes in yield of cereal crop (Boro rice), vegetables yield, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops by the respondents were measured from 2012 to 2014. Although boro rice yield increase was higher in study group (6.58%) than control group (3.32%), difference was insignificant as a hailstorm took place before its harvest. Increases in vegetables yield, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops were significantly higher in the study group (vegetables yield: 5.15%, agricultural income: 13.15%, number of adopted new varieties: 182.58%) than the control group (vegetables yield: 4.24%, agricultural income: 10.63%, number of adopted new varieties: 78.63%). Respondents’ age, level of education, effective farm size, use of ICT media in agriculture, farming experience, agricultural knowledge and problems faced in using ICT in agriculture had significant contribution to the impact of using ICT. It may be concluded that by ensuring market price and minimizing natural disaster affect, use of ICT in agriculture may play a significant role in increasing Boro rice yield, vegetables yield, agricultural income and adoption of new varieties of agricultural crops.

Keywords: Impact assessment, ICT, Study group, Control group, Spill-over effect

Location: Sadar Upazila under Gazipur District

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Information service, Communication

Objectives:

Although ICT has an enormous effect and potential on agricultural development little research has been conducted regarding the impact of ICT in agriculture particularly in Bangladesh. Therefore, on the basis of the above considerations this research was carried out to assess the impact of using ICT in agriculture.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in Baria union of the Sadar upazila under Gazipur district of Bangladesh. Three villages namely Khundia, Digdha and Shukhundi were purposively selected from Baria union as intervention area as a more ICT exposed area due to presence of Agricultural Information and Communication Centre (AICC). Baldha village from the same union was selected as control village as less ICT exposed area. The number of farmers in the selected three villages Shukhundi, Digdha and Khundia were 48, 71, and 144, respectively which constituted the population of the study group. Sample size was determined using Yamane (1967) formula. From 263 test population 96 (37%) study group respondents (farmers had been using at least one of the six selected ICT media in agriculture for two years or more) were selected proportionately using purposive sampling procedure. The selected six ICT media were radio agricultural programs, TV agricultural programs, mobile phone/ smart phone/telephone, computer/laptop/tablet/multimedia/Internet (with the help of media supplied in AICC), Krishi Call Centre/Farmers help Line and agricultural assistance services of mobile phone companies (Banglalink Krishi Jigyasha/ Banglalink Krishibazaar/ GrameenPhone Krishi Tatthya Sheba/ Robi Haat-bazaar). Thirty two (32) control group respondents (non-ICT media users) were selected following two-way stratified random sampling where education and annual income were the strata (Mazumder and Lu, 2015; Haque, 2002). In control village non-ICT user farmers (farmers using none of the selected six ICT media in agriculture) were selected in purposive sampling procedure Data were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule during October to December 2015. Data were collected once for two different years (2012 and 2014) based on recall data (Schröder and Börsch-Supan, 2008). To reduce spill-over effect i.e. to avoid the problem of information flow from ICT user farmers to non-ICT user farmers, study group and control group were selected from separate villages maintaining a remarkable distance of about 3-5 km (Mazumder and Lu, 2015; Hulme, 2000). Impact of using ICT by the farmers of Sadar upazila under Gazipur district was the dependent variable of the study. The impact of ICT use on the farmers was measured in four dimensions: a) change in yield of cereal crop (Boro rice), b) changes in yield of vegetables, c) changes in income from agriculture and d) changes in number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops. In each case, the impact was measured in difference-in-difference method. Difference between 2012 and 2014 was measured both for study and control group respondents. Finally, the study group was compared with the control group based on difference between 2012 and 2014 data record (Mazumder and Lu, 2015). Twelve selected characteristics of the respondents viz. age, level of education, purpose of farming, family size, effective farm size, annual income, training exposure, use of ICT media in agriculture, service taking from agricultural service centre, farming experience, agricultural knowledge and problems faced in using ICT media in agriculture were independent variables of the study. Data were coded, compiled and tabulated according to the objectives of the study. Various descriptive statistical measures like number and percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CV) etc. were calculated for describing selected variables. Difference between means of each changed variable was measured employing t-test. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the contribution of the respondents’ selected characteristics to the impact of using ICT.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 28, No. 1&2, 2016: 37-48 ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The research reveals that use of ICT in agriculture had significant impact on respondents’ vegetables yield, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops. Farmers faced some problems in using ICT in agriculture, although use of ICT had a great influence on agriculture. The increases in respondents’ Boro rice yield, vegetables yield, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops were likely to be influenced by their age, level of education, effective farm size, use of ICT media in agriculture, farming experience, agricultural knowledge and problems faced in using ICT in agriculture. The government should reconsider the problems faced by the farmers in using ICT and address appropriate solutions to these problems. The concerned authority should reconsider the pattern of Boro rice cultivation with minimum costing. The research institutes should develop more rice varieties that need minimum level of irrigation. The government should also ensure market price. It can also be recommended that the research institutes may return to develop strong rice varieties that can fight with any natural disaster like hailstorm, rain, flood etc.

Knowledge Management: Journal